“Space for Earth”, Outdoor exhibition, Copenhagen

ESA's exhibition in central Copenhagen

2 December 2009

Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental challenges we face today. The consequences of a warming climate are far-reaching, potentially affecting fresh water resources, global food production and sea level and triggering an increase in extreme-weather events.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, COP 15, will mark a fundamental step giving politicians, decision-makers and world leaders the opportunity to discuss this major challenge. ESA, the European Space Agency, will be present at this meeting in order to show how space technologies can further assist long-term climate change studies.

To mark the occasion of this high-level conference that will take place from 7-18 December 2009, ESA, in cooperation with the Danish Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation and the City of Copenhagen, will present how satellites are already playing an important role in observing the many aspect of our ever-changing planet.

Night view of the exhibition

“Space for Earth, Understanding Climate Change from Space” is the title of an ESA outdoor exhibition that will be on show from 4 - 18 December, in the centre of the city, at Kongens Nytorv.

ESA will exhibit a full-scale model of its CryoSat-2 satellite, to be launched in early 2010 to monitor the thickness of the polar ice sheets and floating sea-ice. This satellite will be displayed together with a selection of invaluable data on the Earth’s climate, weather and environment, which is helping to answer some of the pressing questions that will affect future generations.

“It is very important for us to be present in Copenhagen”, underlines Peter Hulsroj, ESA Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations. “Earth observation satellites have given Europe a leading role in understanding weather and environmental change. From their unique vantage point in space, satellites continuously monitor oceans, land, air and ice, capturing natural phenomena in their entirety, whatever their scale or duration. Space observation as a tool for decision-makers is indispensable”.

Managing our planet in the 21st century requires timely and reliable access to information that only satellites can provide. If we want to understand our planet, monitor climate change, benefit the economy and secure our environment, satellites are a necessary part of the equation!